Shloka 3
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
अश्वृं च तं परामृश्य विषयान्ते विषोपमा: । न भयं चक्रिरे पार्थाद् भीमसेनादनन्तरात्
aśvaṃ ca taṃ parāmṛśya viṣayānte viṣopamāḥ | na bhayaṃ cakrire pārthād bhīmasenād anantarāt ||
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—സ്വന്തം ദേശപരിധിക്കുള്ളിൽ ആ യജ്ഞാശ്വത്തെ പിടിച്ചെടുത്ത്, വിഷസമമായ ഭീകരരായ ആ ക്ഷത്രിയർ ഭീമസേനന്റെ അനുജനായ പാർത്ഥ അർജുനനെ ഒട്ടും ഭയപ്പെട്ടില്ല.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how arrogance and hostility can blind people to rightful authority and dharmic order: even a sacred royal rite like the Aśvamedha becomes a trigger for confrontation when opponents act 'like poison' and refuse prudent fear or respect.
During the Aśvamedha, the roaming sacrificial horse enters a realm; the local warriors seize it within their borders and, despite Arjuna’s presence as its protector, they do not fear him, signaling their intention to challenge the rite and fight.